Restorative dentistry
Dental crowns
A crown is a cap that covers a damaged tooth completely, restoring its shape and strength. It is the usual fix for a cracked tooth, a large old filling, or a back tooth after a root canal.
- Time in the chair
- 60–90 min, then about 30 min
- Visits
- Two, 2–3 weeks apart
- Numbing
- Yes, at the first visit
- Typical cost
- $1,050–$2,350 per tooth
What it is
When too much of a tooth is missing or weakened to hold a filling, a crown holds it together. It covers the whole visible part of the tooth down to the gumline.
We make most crowns from zirconia or porcelain, which look like natural teeth and are very strong. A well-made crown commonly lasts 10 to 15 years or longer.
Who does this here
Dr. Renata Alcott
Dr. Marcus TellezWhat to expect, step by step
Numbing and shaping
With the tooth numb, we remove any decay and shape the tooth so the crown can fit over it.
The scan
A digital scan of the shaped tooth replaces the old putty impressions. We choose the shade together.
A temporary crown
You leave the same day with a temporary crown. It is fine for normal eating; just avoid sticky foods.
At the lab
A dental lab makes your crown, usually in two to three weeks.
The fitting
We remove the temporary, try the crown, check fit, colour and bite with you, and cement it in place. This visit often needs no numbing.
How long it takes
Two visits two to three weeks apart: 60 to 90 minutes for the first, about 30 minutes for the second.
Mild gum tenderness and cold sensitivity for a few days is normal. You can work the same day.
What it costs
$1,050–$2,350
Typical U.S. range, per tooth, before insurance
Most patients pay somewhere in this range. Your exact cost depends on the material, the tooth, and whether it needs a build-up (a filling core) underneath first.
Most PPO plans cover crowns as major work at around 50% after the deductible, up to your annual maximum.
This is a guide, not our fee and not a quote. After your exam you get a written estimate, and we check your insurance, before anything starts. Call (602) 555-0148 for a quote. Where these ranges come from.
Questions patients ask
Why not just a big filling?
A filling sits inside the tooth and can’t hold weak walls together. When the walls are thin they crack, sometimes in a way that can’t be repaired.
Will it look like a cap?
It shouldn’t. Ceramic crowns are matched to the shade and shape of your other teeth.
How to book
Use our request form and we’ll call you back within one business day to pick a time, or call us now on (602) 555-0148. Tell us it’s for crowns and we’ll book the right length of visit.